US approves new Alzheimer’s treatment
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. It is Kisunla, a monoclonal antibody developed by Eli Lilly. The drug is effective in slowing the progression of the disease in mild or early cases..
Late clinical trials submitted by the company to the regulator have demonstrated the drug’s effectiveness. After 18 months of use, it is able to delay the deterioration of cognitive and functional functions with an effectiveness of 35% compared to placebo. It reduces the risk of participants moving on to the next clinical stage of the disorder by 39%.
Eli Lilly told the FDA committee that only 2% of patients treated experienced serious side effects. Three patients in the studies died from imaging abnormalities related to the amyloid protein. These abnormalities can include bleeding, inflammation, and swelling of the brain. Despite these indications, the panel concluded that the benefits outweighed the risks.
The findings raise concerns about the health impacts of airborne pollutants.
Cheap Therapy for Alzheimer’s Disease
Kisunla is given intravenously in monthly 30-minute sessions. The drug company says it is “the first and only amyloid plaque-reducing therapy with evidence to support interruption of the regimen” if there is evidence of improvement. The company says 17% of people in the studies completed the treatment within six months. 47% did so within 12 months, and 69% within 18 months. The cost of each monthly dose is $695.65.
Aduhelm, made by Biogen, became the first drug to treat Alzheimer’s disease to be approved by the FDA in 2021. Last year, the agency cleared Lekembi, a therapy developed by Japanese pharmaceutical company Eisai. None of the options currently available are definitive cures for the disease. However, they are treatments that improve patients’ quality of life.
“What we’re seeing is real progress that allows people to have more options and more opportunities to have more time. This is the breakthrough that those affected by this devastating and devastating disease have been hoping for,” said Joan Pike, president and CEO of the Alzheimer’s Association.
Dementia affects more than 55 million people worldwide. It is the seventh leading cause of death and one of the leading causes of disability and addiction. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of the syndrome. It accounts for seven out of 10 cases. It is a progressive, incurable and irreversible disease.. Most patients are elderly: 10% of cases are registered in people over 65 years old and 47% in the population over 85 years old.
The condition has a significant economic impact. In 2022, more than 11 million family members and unpaid caregivers were estimated to provide 18 billion hours of care to people with the condition. 60% of patients worldwide live in low- and middle-income countries.